Oakland Elementary students work to change food packaging

Plastic foam target of protest

Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 7:47 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 7:47 p.m.

Fourth-grade students at Oakland Elementary School are learning that one little idea, if kindled, can spark a roaring fire for change.

Never one to pass up an opportunity for a quick lesson, teacher Stacey Johnson made an off-hand comment to a student about the plastic-foam cups stacked next to the cafeteria watercooler. She noted that if a plastic-foam cup was around to blow off Christopher Columbus' ship on his way to America, it would still be floating in the ocean today.

“That kind of got everybody thinking,” she said.

The idea took hold with Johnson's students and soon spread throughout the fourth grade. They began researching plastic foam and integrating it into various subject area lessons, reading books such as “Miss Fox's Class Goes Green.”

After a few weeks, students are now an encyclopedia of knowledge on the potential dangers of plastic-foam packaging. They spout word associations, such as “hazardous waste,” “non-biodegradeable,” “pollutants” and “litter.”

“It really started making us nervous,” Johnson said.

As part of an English/language arts lesson, students were encouraged to write a letter to Oakland's principal, Josh Patterson, about the possibility of eliminating plastic foam from the cafeteria. They crafted costumes made of recycled plastic-foam products and went hall to hall, educating other students about their concerns.

Patterson said he was pleased to see students working together so enthusiastically. He saw the effort as something students could carry with them well beyond their years at Oakland.

“As they see real life, real world problems come about, they can work together to make a change,” Patterson said.

He arranged for students to meet with Noah Rucker, director of food services for Spartanburg District 2. Students presented their information and asked Rucker to consider ordering paper products for the school's cafeteria in the future.

“We want to be partners with the students,” Rucker said, noting that it was his first formal request from a student group. “It was well-organized, well-driven. Their points were all well-taken.”

Rucker found that the cost difference wasn't significant. Paper cups cost roughly 3 cents more than plastic-foam ones, totaling an increase of about $540 a year. He authorized the switch, and it was implemented this past week.

Plastic-foam lunch trays, used only occasionally if the cafeteria dishwasher is broken, were replaced with paper trays at a cost of roughly $72 a year.

Students said they're proud of what they've accomplished. They now understand the importance of seeing an idea through.

“All you have to do is work hard, and it'll continue to grow,” 10-year-old Delenah Calvert said.

“It also builds self-confidence,” added Mary Alice Moore, 9. “If one person can make a change in District 2, some people that don't have a lot of self-confidence will know that they can make a change, too.”

<p>Fourth-grade students at Oakland Elementary School are learning that one little idea, if kindled, can spark a roaring fire for change.</p><p>Never one to pass up an opportunity for a quick lesson, teacher Stacey Johnson made an off-hand comment to a student about the plastic-foam cups stacked next to the cafeteria watercooler. She noted that if a plastic-foam cup was around to blow off Christopher Columbus' ship on his way to America, it would still be floating in the ocean today.</p><p>“That kind of got everybody thinking,” she said.</p><p>The idea took hold with Johnson's students and soon spread throughout the fourth grade. They began researching plastic foam and integrating it into various subject area lessons, reading books such as “Miss Fox's Class Goes Green.”</p><p>After a few weeks, students are now an encyclopedia of knowledge on the potential dangers of plastic-foam packaging. They spout word associations, such as “hazardous waste,” “non-biodegradeable,” “pollutants” and “litter.”</p><p>“It really started making us nervous,” Johnson said.</p><p>As part of an English/language arts lesson, students were encouraged to write a letter to Oakland's principal, Josh Patterson, about the possibility of eliminating plastic foam from the cafeteria. They crafted costumes made of recycled plastic-foam products and went hall to hall, educating other students about their concerns.</p><p>“I got my whole family to switch to paper instead,” said Hollyann Clevenger, 9.</p><p>Patterson said he was pleased to see students working together so enthusiastically. He saw the effort as something students could carry with them well beyond their years at Oakland.</p><p>“As they see real life, real world problems come about, they can work together to make a change,” Patterson said.</p><p>He arranged for students to meet with Noah Rucker, director of food services for Spartanburg District 2. Students presented their information and asked Rucker to consider ordering paper products for the school's cafeteria in the future.</p><p>“We want to be partners with the students,” Rucker said, noting that it was his first formal request from a student group. “It was well-organized, well-driven. Their points were all well-taken.”</p><p>Rucker found that the cost difference wasn't significant. Paper cups cost roughly 3 cents more than plastic-foam ones, totaling an increase of about $540 a year. He authorized the switch, and it was implemented this past week.</p><p>Plastic-foam lunch trays, used only occasionally if the cafeteria dishwasher is broken, were replaced with paper trays at a cost of roughly $72 a year.</p><p>Students said they're proud of what they've accomplished. They now understand the importance of seeing an idea through.</p><p>“All you have to do is work hard, and it'll continue to grow,” 10-year-old Delenah Calvert said.</p><p>“It also builds self-confidence,” added Mary Alice Moore, 9. “If one person can make a change in District 2, some people that don't have a lot of self-confidence will know that they can make a change, too.”</p>